Art Haus Paper Lanterns ~ Sew & Tell - 10/13/25

Another week... gone!  I could go on and on about how time seems to be flying by... but that is an old record that needs to be put to rest. ;)

This week's Sew & Tell feature is not one that needs to be set aside.  Rather, it is one that needs to be kept in the forefront as the weather transitions to a new season.

Preeti at Sew Preeti Quilts showed off one of her Island Batik projects - Milo.  Preeti has a knack for selecting patterns and fabrics and colors that work well together.  The simple quilting of this quilt allows the two blocks/designs to be the star of the show.  Her color placement creates the subtle change and flow of color.

Head over to Preeti's blog by following the link above and you will see where the pattern is available.

Thank you to all of you that participate in Sew & Tell each week.  If you have never joined the party... well, what are you waiting for?  Everyone is friendly and supportive, and I can always learn/find something new to spark some creativity.  

I have been dipping my toe into the water as a Connecting Threads Ambassador... I am a little surprised at how difficult this has actually been. I'm feeling like my biggest hurdle is that I don't have a ton of CT fabrics in my stash.  This means that I have had to purchase a few things.  Retail therapy is always fun, but I realize now that I do a lot of "window shopping."  Hahaha.

I started new project! This jelly roll from CT and will become a fun "Paper Lanterns" quilt.  

Head over to the Connecting Threads website to take a look at some of the items available in their clearance sale. That's where I found this pre-cut Art Haus jelly roll. (Who doesn't love a bargain?) You can get a 15% discount by using the special code CTAMelvaLovesScraps on most purchases.

But before I could start piecing, my machine needed a little mani-pedi. It's been 6 weeks since the last one. Oh my! I really thought it was just a month. 🤦‍♀️

While the piecing of Paper Lanterns is super easy and the layout seems straightforward... I had two extra pieces remaining after I had it on the design wall.  I thought that I had simply miscounted. NOPE!  I had to carefully examine the columns and eventually found where they belonged. 

Then as I started sewing them together, I realized two more mistakes in the layout... Back to the design wall.  

The third time's the charm!  Here's my progress...

I have put the Little House quilt blocks to the side for now.  Eight out of nine complete.  And, I have the audio book of Little Town on the Prairie on loan.  I'll be listening as I finish Paper Lanterns with the intent of finding inspiration for the final block.  I know it's there... I just have to intentional and find it.

What you seek with all your heart, you will find!  

Late last year I had settled on a "word of the year"... It was Trust.  I've haven't done too well with trusting the Lord through all the challenges and changes we have faced in our family this year.  As I wrapped up my third-quarter review I was reflecting on trust...

Do I trust the Lord in all that is happening.  Yes. Yes, I do.  Am I happy about it?  No, not at all.  I am frustrated and reminded that trust isn't something earned easily.  God has never failed me before... though the end result is quite different than I would have chosen.  

In previous years I have chosen more positive words... Like growth and peace... those were a couple of pleasant years!  Trust seems positive, right? But for trust to grow and develop, of course there has to be difficulties and opportunities to exercise that trust/faith muscle.  It's like asking for patience... you can guarantee that you will have plenty of opportunity to exercise that!  LOL.  

I joined a ladies Bible study a few weeks ago and it is on the book of Proverbs... simple study... Ha!  Proverbs... a book of wisdom with some interesting sayings.  Ugh.  It has been one of the most difficult studies I have ever participated.  The other day, I was feeling down about how I have fallen short in so many of my relationships... and then I was reminded that God does not condemn!  God will gently convict and steer you in the correction direction.  

So... like my searching for and finding the mistakes in the Paper Lanterns quilt layout, it takes time and it CAN be corrected... without much distress or drama. (No need for a date with "Jack.")

I will be intentional in my week... If things go well, I will finish Paper Lanterns completely.  I have a quilting plan and will be doing a scrappy binding.  With any luck, I'll be back next week with block number 9 of the Little House quilt (or at least a plan).  I know what sort of border and binding will be on that quilt too!

The color wash hexagons are coming together.  I have been spending a little time in the evenings sewing rows together and I am down to the "stragglers" to stitch together. I will then join the two large sections.  I'm not in a big rush... I definitely am appreciating the slower pace.

I can appreciate a good plan and purpose... but I can also appreciate spontaneity.  Our friends from the Lazy J Goat Farm have tentative plans and opportunity to borrow a small home in Red River and we may be joining them.  She said it may be last minute but asked if we were up for it.  We responded with a resounding "absolutely!"

Do you need/prefer well-planned excursions?

Or are you open to last minute surprises?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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